Hawaii became the first US state this month to ban plastic bags, giving hope that one day advertisements like the ones below from Surfers Against Sewage are no longer necessary.

Killer Bags artwork by Martin Brent – Surfers Against Sewage – 2014 Campaign – “This year the ocean’s biggest killer will be the rubbish you leave behind. Help us protect our precious coastlines, marine animals and seabirds and join a SAS beach clean near you.”

The ban, which prohibits businesses to offer single-use plastic bags to customers, but makes exception for compostable bags, those used within a store for bulk items (for fruits and vegetables), restaurant take out food, and others – was first instituted on the Hawaiian island of Maui in 2011, followed by Kauai the same year, Hawaii County in 2013 and the island of Oahu earlier this month.

With over 100 billion plastic bags handed out every year in the US alone, many end up polluting our waters. Scientists estimate that every square mile of ocean has approximately 46,000 pieces of plastic floating in it.